Prague Live Music: Opposites Attract

Libor Šmoldas & David Dorůžka In Duo @ U Staré paní

Due to “technical reasons,” yhalinen.com has been a bit quiet lately. But we are slowly getting back to business, and what a spectacular start we had. Last night at the Old Lady, two of the top guitarists in the Republic came together in Libor’s ongoing In Duo series for a relaxed, remarkably skillful session filled with timeless jazz standards. Given that we are dealing with two absolute virtuosos of the six-string, these classic charts were completely reimagined the moment they lost themselves in improvisation, to the absolute delight of the front-row crowd.

I know some of you might be a little skeptical of what I just wrote. After all, we are talking about two musicians who don’t have very much in common when it comes to their stylistic approach to the genre. David’s playing style is best described as an impressionistic, deeply thoughtful take on modern jazz that heavily prioritizes musical restraint and emotional depth over loud technical showmanship. That stands in striking contrast to Libor’s approach, which is defined by a vibrant, swinging, and overtly expressive delivery rooted firmly in the classic mainstream tradition. While David looks inward with impressionistic restraint, Libor looks outward with an infectious, groove-driven energy. Both are absolute masters of their craft.

But as the saying goes, opposites attract. When caught on the very same stage, their profound mutual respect and genuine love for the art create what the corporate business types would call a win-win situation. It’s a win for them to have the rare chance to explore textures that don’t belong to their usual daily stage setups, and it’s a major win for us to sit back and witness something truly exclusive.

I’ve said it before, so now I’ll repeat myself again! Libor’s monthly In Duo sessions are something genuinely special—a little slice of exclusivity you don’t just stumble across on every street corner. I don’t know the exact schedule for the next pairing just yet, but stay tuned to the blog and I promise I’ll keep you updated.
Thank you, Libor and David! 🙏🙏😊

👉Last night’s photos HERE

👉 See the full live photo gallery from our archives: HERE